UK, 25th September 2010: Michael Williams a 29 year old postman from Cornwall who had been using social networking websites Facebook and Bebo, admitted to 27charges of abuse of hundreds of children, grooming them before asking them to perform sex acts over a webcam, while arranging to meet with others before abusing them between 2004-2009.

In addition to the 27 charges, Williams asked for a further four to be taken into consideration which involved another 460 unknown victims. Devon and Cornwall police have identified around 500 victims, but believe there are many more who are too afraid to come forward, which could bring the total of abused nearer to 1,000.

Williams created at least eight fake online profiles, dying his hair various colours to disguise his identity, before targeting youngsters whom he met on his post rounds, on school runs as a taxi driver and in his role as Falmouth Town Football Club Secretary.

Judge Paul Darlow said, “The deceit and corruption shown by Williams had damaged hundreds of children by lulling them into a false sense of security. Every method employed by you was designed to exploit young children by the means you knew was popular with them…. Facebook, Bebo and MSM Messenger.”

Williams, who has since been dismissed by his employers Royal Mail, convinced his victims to meet him in parks, on beaches and at his home.

Child safety experts say that social networks have made vast improvements in the line of safety, but this case just proves how easy it remains for paedophiles to get round the systems. The key issue is age verification.

All networks are under pressure to install the Child Protection and Online Exploitation Center’s panic button (CEOP). After insisting its own safeguards were superior, Facebook eventually agreed to promote the CEOP button, although it remains optional. The company has launched a £5million campaign to improve safety for users. Facebook have said they are deeply concerned by the case.

It is not clear how this or any other mechanism will stop paedophiles from finding their way to use the internet to abuse children.

A spokesperson said, “The case serves as a painful reminder that everyone must use extreme caution when talking to or meeting people they only know via the internet,”

No user, child or adult should accept a friend request on a social network unless they actually know and trust the person.

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i have been observing in my time in business in pattaya these european types who come for carnal sex acts with the boy town area and i am feeling sick in my stomach by such badness and feeling an anger but no good for telling police man or official peoples because they are big customer and business holder of this kind of sick activity and i am telling my young daughter be careful the internet chat rooms and be careful on the 10 baht bus journey for europe man want youngness of daughter for feeling and cash when i am not with her and in shop selling suit and garment, i am working here in pattaya and am not wanting dirty man to stick his business in my daughter and i am worry constant in my head about this monkey business here because of strong potions for sale in pharmacy for making stong manhood and what i call lewd feelings for pleasure in this city of tourist and some bad men who come for this on plane for exact reason of what i suggest

Truth-Hurts

25 Sep 2010 , 10:20pm

Mr Ahmadinejad said : Why is this on PDN?

Because it's such a rarity that a Thai internet cafe owner wasn't involved.

Shocked..check the figures with Pattaya police and you will find the French are the most arrested nationality when it comes to under age boys

Arthur

25 Sep 2010 , 08:22pm

Chop off his mouse

Anne

25 Sep 2010 , 07:55pm

This man should be jail for life instead of only 8 1/2 years.

paul trumble

25 Sep 2010 , 07:49pm

This dirty peedo nonce was trained up in Pattaya.Hope he is rectified anally in jail.

jono

25 Sep 2010 , 06:28pm

This on PDN to warn all you kiddie fiddlers out there that you are being watched no matter what country you in.....so look out!!

Shocked

25 Sep 2010 , 05:03pm

Because its a Farlang that is involved with a sex arrest. Need to keep up the Bad news about Farlangs. Im not surprised its a Uk Guy. Kick all the English people out of Thailand soon. Best move for Thailand.